Wolverhampton man filmed up skirts of women while shopping
A man from Wolverhampton preyed on 16 women by filming up their skirts while they were out shopping, a court heard.
Tony Russell crept up on the shoppers during two trips to TK Maxx in Telford.
He placed a camera phone in either a trolley or a basket to make the videos, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told yesterday.
The 38-year-old was only caught after staff at the store became suspicious of his behaviour after watching back the store's CCTV.
The court also heard how Russell, who is a graphic designer, was 'completely embarrassed and ashamed' by his behaviour.
He faced two counts of an act of outraging public decency between March 18 and June 5, 2014, which he pleaded guilty to.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said: "The videos are about 30 seconds long and are of women in a retail premises, who are wearing skirts.
"None of these females gave their consent, but no enquiries about these incidents have been made by the victims.
"Staff discovered what the defendant was doing after seeing some strange activity on the CCTV footage."
Judge Peter Barrie handed Russell, of Evans Court, Wolverhampton a three year community order and ordered him to attend a credited sex offender programme.
During the trial the court heard how Russell carried out the offences while he was in a relationship with a woman, which he now hopes to 're-kindle'.
Mr Stephen Cadwaladr, for Russell, said: "Rarely has a man felt so much embarrassment and shame as Mr Russell feels sitting in the court.
"He had been in a relationship with a lady, who had no idea he was carrying out this activity. When she found out, the relationship ended and he moved out.
"He is living in sheltered accommodation in a different town, hoping that once the dust settles he can re-kindle what was once a fairly happy relationship with a long future ahead."
The court also heard how Russell only shared the videos, which lasted around 30 seconds, between email accounts used by himself.
Judge Barrie concluded that none of the women were harmed when Russell carried out the offence, and therefore did not feel the need to hand him a sexual prevention order.
However, Russell has not been given back his phone or computer, which contains the videos until the Judge is happy they have permanently been erased. This will be decided at a hearing on July 24.
He was also ordered to pay back £535 in court fees within the next three months.
